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“(Researchers) found substance abuse and these chronic STDs are some of the leading causes of the 18-24 year old age group to drop out of college. If we can give them information it gives them a better chance of completing at least a community college education,” Ivory says.

In addition to adding paid peer counselors to the department, the grant will fund monthly workshops and other events as well as partnerships with health agencies to provide on-campus STD testing. Project leaders expect a virtual health information center to be made available to students via the school's website.

“We feel that we need to provide them with the tools to make an informed decision,” Velasquez says.

Prior to the program students would have to look elsewhere for information about sex, condoms and STDs, says Carmen Velasquez, director of student engagement and retention.

“Now we're having a conversation because we think it's important to give them the information they need so they can make informed decisions,” she says.